Prof. Budi Harsanto , S.E., MM., Ph.D., PGCertHE., FHEA, Professor of the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at Universitas Padjadjaran, served as a resource person at the international Executive Seminar program organized through a strategic collaboration between RUDN University Moscow and Gazprom, a global energy company and the world’s largest natural gas producer from Russia, on Wednesday (April 22, 2026). The program, titled “Doing Business in Indonesia,” was held in a hybrid format, with participants, consisting of Gazprom executives, attending offline from St. Petersburg, Russia, while speakers delivered presentations online from Indonesia.
In the session, Prof. Budi Harsanto thoroughly explored the dynamics of business culture in Indonesia as a determining factor in the success of international collaborations. He emphasized that for a large company like Gazprom, understanding sociocultural aspects is crucial, in addition to analyzing economic data. Successful market penetration and strategic partnerships in Indonesia depend heavily on leaders’ ability to navigate ethical interactions and understand local values that underlie every business decision.
Prof. Budi also explained the importance of building relational capital and trust before moving on to formal agreements. He explained how communication in Indonesia, which tends to be high-context, requires special sensitivity to effectively convey professional messages without compromising harmonious relationships. Furthermore, collaborative values rooted in local culture are also crucial for foreign corporations to adopt when leading teams or partnering with organizations in Indonesia.
The initiative taken by Gazprom and RUDN University, which brought in experts from the Faculty of Economics and Business, Padjadjaran University (FEB Unpad), reflects international recognition of Indonesian academic expertise and demonstrates Russia’s strong interest in strengthening economic ties. This executive forum serves not only as a means of knowledge transfer but also as a bridge for economic diplomacy, strengthening ties between the Russian industrial sector and the academic world in Indonesia.
